Iraqi PM Maliki: Turkey becoming a hostile state in region

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has accused his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan of interfering in his country’s internal affairs, saying Turkey is becoming a “hostile state” in the region.

“The latest statements of Erdogan are another return to the process of interfering in Iraqi internal affairs,” Maliki said in a recent statement posted on his website.

The Iraqi premier made the remarks in response to Erdogan accusing Maliki of taking an “egocentric approach” in politics.

“The current prime minister’s treatment toward his coalition partners, his egocentric approach within Iraqi politics… seriously concern Shiite groups, Mr. Barzani and the Iraqiya group,” Erdogan said after closed-door talks with President of the Kurdistan region Massoud Barzani in Istanbul on Thursday.

Maliki also said the statements made by the Turkish premier “confirms that Mr. Erdogan is still living the illusion of regional hegemony.”

“Insisting on continuing these internal and regional policies will damage Turkey’s interests and makes it a hostile state for all.”

“It is regrettable that his statements have a sectarian dimension which he used to deny before but which have become clear, and are rejected by all Iraqis,” Maliki added.

The latest development has come in spite of Turkey’s position as one of Iraq’s top trade partners, with bilateral trade between the two neighbors valued at 12 billion dollars in 2011.